Geraldton mother's breast cancer diagnosis highlights importance of screening buses in regions

Lois Garner says she could have gone months without a diagnosis if not for the BreastScreen bus. (ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt: Piper Duffy)

Lois Garner describes herself as “fiercely independent” and always loves operating in her own time.

Living in Geraldton, about four hours north of Perth, she enjoys the slow-paced lifestyle of a coastal town.

But six months ago Ms Garner’s life went from morning swims to blood tests and doctor appointments.

In August she went for a routine visit to the breast screening bus when it came to Geraldton.

After getting “the invite no-one wants” and being asked back to the bus, she was soon diagnosed with stage one breast cancer.

“My type of cancer didn’t show up with a lump, so it wasn’t something I could have ever picked up myself.”

Trying to process the shock diagnosis but also juggling motherhood, work and medical appointments took some adjusting, she said.

“You’re seeing surgeons, oncologists, a GP, breast cancer nurses and going for blood tests.

“So there’s a lot of people in your care and especially being in regional WA having to coordinate those trips down to Perth.

“Keeping up to date with all of that and trying to care for my 13-year-old daughter took a toll.”

Regional barriers

BreastScreen WA liaison general practitioner Eric Kong said cases like Ms Garner’s highlighted the importance of screening buses coming to regional towns.

“Breast cancer is the most common life-threatening cancer for women in Australia,” he said.

“I think one of the first barriers for people in regional WA is getting tested, which is why we have a bus that we try to make sure gets to as many of the smaller towns as possible.”

Access to necessary health services was more scarce for people further from metropolitan areas, Dr Kong said.

“[Bridging the gap] is a lot about health services, not only in the general practice setting but also in the hospital level.”

Holistic approach to support needed

Already experiencing the physical battle of cancer, Ms Garner said a familiar phrase intended to offer support had put more stress on her mentally.

The phrase “let me know if you need anything” made her feel more isolated, she said.

“Sometimes that’s quite hard and you don’t actually know what you really need.

“It’s better for people to say: ‘Hey, I’m making this meal, do you want some?’ That gives me the option to say yes or no.”

Ms Garner said an app enabling direct communication with a number of her friends and family had been a huge help.

“The day before I was heading down to Perth for my surgery, I got a notice from Western Power saying my tree was too close to power lines,” she said.

“It felt like that little straw that broke the camel’s back; when you’re coordinating all this stuff and get that little note that takes you over the edge.

“I was able to post on the app and within two minutes one of my beautiful friends said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ve got it sorted’.”

Now just over six months after her diagnosis, Ms Garner said she was on the mend.

“I had a bit of a rough ride last week but I mean I really have breezed through.

“Sometimes people can get in this place where they’re existing rather than living, and I think it’s really important to make sure all the tough jobs are taken care of so you can get out there and enjoy life as much as possible.”